New technology improves CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in mosquitoes, other species

August 9, 2018

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A technology designed to improve CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in mosquitoes and other arthropods succeeds with a high degree of efficiency, while eliminating the need for difficult microinjection of genetic material, according to researchers.

Plant sciences student seeks to improve agriculture at home and abroad

August 9, 2018

Hannah Hunsberger, a senior majoring in plant sciences, traveled to Ireland this past spring as a student in an embedded course that examined how the country and its agriculture were affected by the Irish Potato Famine of 1845.

Surviving large carnivores have far-reaching impact

August 8, 2018

Anywhere large-bodied mammalian carnivore species are present, other, smaller carnivores are less likely to occur, according to an international team of researchers that conducted the first global assessment of carnivore interactions using camera trap data.

Well-being of 'left behind' children in Kyrgyzstan focus of study

August 6, 2018

Understanding the economic, health, behavioral and educational effects of labor migration on children is one aspect of a three-year, interdisciplinary research project that is being carried out by researchers in Penn State's Colleges of Agricultural Sciences, Liberal Arts, Earth and Mineral Sciences, Health and Human Development, and Education.

Penn State helps to assemble expert task force to combat spotted lanternfly

August 6, 2018

Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences helped to assemble a multistate, interdisciplinary task force of more than 80 university, regulatory and agricultural industry representatives to fight the looming threat presented by the spotted lanternfly.

College of Agricultural Sciences students awarded NIFA fellowships

August 2, 2018

Eight graduate students in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences are among the 101 recipients of fellowships from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Love of art and love of ag: Penn State alum combines passions in Arboretum gift

August 1, 2018

Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences alumna Diane Blanton recently contributed $50,000 to fund a five-month art installation at The Arboretum at Penn State.

Gluttonous grubs: Insecticide efficacy in turfgrass is focus of study

July 31, 2018

Research underway at the Joseph Valentine Turfgrass Research Center on the University Park campus is focusing on the effectiveness of a neonicotinoid insecticide — imidacloprid — in controlling grub populations.

Internship, classes provide valuable experiences for ERM major

July 31, 2018

Carrie Zamonski, of Brookhaven, Pennsylvania, is spending her summer at the beach -- but she's not there just for a vacation. Zamonski, a senior majoring in environmental resource management and minoring in watershed and water resources and marine science, is an intern at the Bald Head Island Conservancy in North Carolina.

Penn State hydrologist Elizabeth Boyer honored by American Geophysical Union

July 31, 2018

Elizabeth W. Boyer, associate professor of water resources in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has been honored with the 2018 Witherspoon Lecture Award by the American Geophysical Union.

Small amounts of pharmaceuticals found in north central Pa. rural well water

July 31, 2018

Drinking water from wells in rural north central Pennsylvania had low levels of pharmaceuticals, according to a study led by Penn State researchers.

Pollinator Panic: Interdisciplinary team creates pollinator education video game

July 26, 2018

A collaboration between the School of Visual Arts and the Center for Pollinator Research at Penn State has led to the creation of “Pollinator Panic!,” an online strategy game that allows a player to assume the role of a field researcher who is working to restore a bee community.

Foresters' use of management tool focus of Penn State study

July 25, 2018

Researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences examined the use and user-friendliness of SILVAH-Oak — short for Silviculture of Allegheny Hardwoods — a decision-support tool developed by the U.S. Forest Service for making silvicultural decisions in mixed oak forests.

Poor mental health days may cost the economy billions of dollars

July 19, 2018

Poor mental health may cost businesses nearly as much as physical health problems, according to researchers. A single extra poor mental health day in a month was associated with a 1.84 percent drop in the per capita real income growth rate, resulting in $53 billion less total income each year.

Penn State Residential Dining grows partnership with Student Farm

July 18, 2018

From the first days of breaking ground on the Student Farm at Penn State, Housing and Food Services (HFS) has been an active partner by supporting the farm financially and by purchasing and using farm produce in weekly menus. Now, with the Student Farm is in its third year of operation, HFS has strengthened that partnership through a $50,000 contribution from Auxiliary and Business Services.

Calvin assumes new leadership role in combating spotted lanternfly threat

July 18, 2018

Dennis Calvin, director of Penn State Extension and associate dean in the College of Agricultural Sciences since 2009, has assumed a new role overseeing the college's efforts to combat the invasive spotted lanternfly. His appointment, which comes with the title of associate dean and director of special programs, was effective July 1.

Link found between bitter-taste sensitivity and cancer risk

July 18, 2018

High bitter-taste sensitivity is associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer in older British women, according to researchers who conducted a unique study of 5,500 women whose diet, lifestyle and health has been tracked for about 20 years.

Study sheds new light on forests' response to atmospheric pollution

July 12, 2018

How forests respond to elevated nitrogen levels from atmospheric pollution is not always the same. While a forest is filtering nitrogen as expected, a higher percentage than previously seen is leaving the system again as the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, say researchers.

PSEOP honors three staff members with annual awards

July 11, 2018

Three Penn State staff members were recently honored by the Penn State Educational Office Professionals (PSEOP) with annual awards.

$500,000 grant to focus on how rural innovation happens, how to inspire more

July 11, 2018

Rural communities are often tied to agriculture, but finding new ways to inspire innovation in those communities may help create new companies, improve farming, and create more diverse economies. A $500,000 grant from USDA is aimed at doing that.

Electric markets, procurement strategies for businesses, groups topic of webinar

July 11, 2018

Deciding which factors businesses and organizations should consider in choosing an electricity supplier will be the topic of a free, one-hour, web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension, at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 26.

Ag Sciences faculty members honored for teaching, innovation with Bixler award

July 11, 2018

Two faculty members in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences recently received the 2017 Anna and Guy Bixler Memorial Award in Food Science in recognition of their teaching innovation.

Working together for global good: Penn State, Oxfam join forces

July 10, 2018

Developing lasting solutions to the problems of poverty, hunger and social injustice is the cornerstone of a new partnership between Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and Oxfam America, the U.S. affiliate of Oxfam, the global organization working to end the injustice of poverty in 90 countries around the world.

Global Programs announces Penn State/Split 2018 Fund Awardees

July 10, 2018

The Global Engagement Network is a group of strategic peer partnerships around the world, developed around the natural links between faculty and research interests. Global Programs supports these collaborative research projects through a development fund and has announced the awardees, whose projects primarily focus on long-term sustainability.

Franklin County Extension office to host spotted lanternfly meeting at Mont Alto

July 6, 2018

The Franklin County Penn State Extension office will host a community meeting about the spotted lanternfly at 6:30 p.m. on July 26 in the General Studies Building Auditorium at Penn State Mont Alto.

Student Farm to host 'Art on the Acre' on July 15

July 6, 2018

The Student Farm at Penn State will hold “Art on the Acre,” a relaxing evening of arts and crafts, farm tours and farm-fresh snacks, from 4 to 6 p.m. July 15.

Research aims to prevent deaths related to gypsum-laced manure emissions

July 5, 2018

When gypsum — a source of sulfate — finds its way into low-oxygen manure-storage facilities via removal as soiled bedding, this innocuous product can turn into a deadly gas with a few moves of an agitation device, a dangerous threat that researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences believe can be counteracted with an additive.

Field day to focus on using genetics for herd improvement

July 3, 2018

An upcoming field day, hosted by Penn State Extension, will help beef producers take advantage of new technology that can take some of the guesswork out of breeding — the use of genomic tools to improve a herd. The event is open to all purebred and commercial breeders from Pennsylvania and surrounding states.

Land-use webinar to focus on regulating short-term rentals

July 3, 2018

Concerns about community tensions caused by the onset of short-term rental services will be the topic of a web-based seminar presented by Penn State Extension at noon on July 18.

Back to the future: Low-tech food-safety training still best for some audiences

July 2, 2018

While current training for food safety and sanitation usually incorporates high-technology presentations, such as videos and slide shows, there is still a need for low-tech approaches, according to Penn State researchers.

Media Contacts

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Media Contacts

  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
  • Associate Director of Communications
  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
  • Science and News Writer
  • Penn State Extension Writer (Marketing Communications Specialist)